The Soong Dynasty

By Sterling Seagrave. Harper & Row, $22.50

March 24, 1985

Americans are fascinated with China, and one reason perhaps has been the prominence of the Soongs. The family dominated America`s policies in Asia during the Roosevelt era and for a long time after by capitalizing on the powerful support of Time-Life publisher Henry R. Luce. Madame Chiang Kai-shek, born May-ling Soong, was a daughter of Charlie Soong the dynasty founder. May-ling`s sister was Ching-Ling Soong, who was married to Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the Chinese revolutionary leader. Harvard-educated T.V. Soong was the economics wizard behind Chiang. The Soongs were not shy or graceful about advancing their cause or their wealth. Seagrave details the maneuvers and infighting both in China and among their allies in the U.S. in this highly readable chronicle of the Soong`s rise to power and wealth.